Hi I have recently started researching my mum's time in the ATS during WW 2. I have obtained a copy of her Service Record from the Army Records Office. These records show that she trained as a Telephonist / SBO and was attached to a HAA Regiment. Her details are: Name: Pauline Kerrigan Army No W 102096 Date of joining: 26th November, 1941 Age at time of joining: 18 Her records show that she was posted to the following Units: 491 Bty (M) AA Royal Artillery 491 /135 (M) HAA Regiment 467/135 627/184 (M) HAA 2 Coy 5AA Group (M) Signals Unit She attended Courses of Instruction at 6 AA Group School KAVANNAH plus 4 AA Practice Camp 2AA GRoup School for Chemical Warfare What I am interested in doing is finding out more about where these batteries and training camps were located. I live in Australia and would like to find out whether there are any Diaries available and how I might obtain copies. Any help in this regard would be appreciated. regards, John
Hello John There are a few members who would be able to copy for you for a small fee They will be along shortly Regards Clive
Hi John and welcome Drop me a message if you'd like some help getting copies of the files. You can click the blue link below this post for more info on the service I can offer. Cheers Andy
Hi Clive and Andy, Thanks to both of you for welcoming me to the site. Andy I would like to take advantage of your service . How do I create a PM? regards, John
Click on Andy's username (Drew 5233) above his posts. That will bring up a summary profile from which you can select 'Start a Conversation'. You'll need to enter a subject line at the top of the subsequent composition screen for the PM, but it doesn't greatly matter what it is. 'War Diary Request', perhaps.
John, Not a problem - the diaries are compiled on a monthly basis and each month has appendices that pertain to that month. If you can figure out precisely which units your mother was with for which periods of time, you'll be able to get copies of the appropriate months' diaries. It's pot luck how useful they are: some are amazingly informative, some bland, but at the minimum they're likely to give you a cumulative picture of what the unit got up to and where they were located. Best of luck.
Charley, When I obtained Mum's Service Records I was hopeful that they would show which towns she had been posted to. She was in the army for nearly 5 years and all her postings were described as being in the UK or Home. The only exception was a 2 week period at an AA Signal Training School at St. Neots. Andy was very quick off the mark and identified which Unit records are available. regards, John
I suppose that the records are only as good as the recorder. An awful lot of my maternal grandfather's records stated Far East Land Forces, which, I deduced from the dates meant fighting communists in Malaya. The key is often the unit names: once you have those with the dates secondary sources can often give you precise locations; although this may be more often true for units posted overseas.
Hi John, Just in case you don`t know, No.4 H.A.A. Practise Camp was at Ty-croes, Anglesey, Wales. Regards, John
Hi John, No I didn't know that and appreciate your advice. Do you also know where 6 AA Group School Kavannah was located.? regards, John
Hi John, Unfortunately I don`t know anything much about this one but I`m sure someone will come along soon and help out. All I found from a quick "Google" is that 6 A.A. Group had its HQ in Edinburgh so from that one assumes the school was not too far away. Regards, John
